FROM THE DESK OF THE CEO (31/12)

Justin Chadwick (10 August 2012)

QUOTE OF THE WEEK “Americans who travel abroad for the first time are often shocked to discover that, despite all the progress that has been made in the last 30 years, many foreign people still speak in foreign languages” Dave Barry
CELEBRATE SUCCESS: Two more South African medals at the Olympics – silver for swimming sensation Le Clos and bronze for Bridgette Hartley in Kayaking.
USA HEAVY WEIGHTS IN SOUTH AFRICA
The Olympic medal table is a good barometer for world trade – yesterday China was two ahead of the USA; today USA is two gold medals ahead of China. The tussle for the top of the Olympic leader board is also playing out as the world looks to Africa to provide impetus for future economic growth. China’s interest in Africa is well documented – there has been significant Chinese investment in the African continent. This past week Hillary Clinton, US Secretary of State, led a powerful business delegation to South Africa. I had the privilege of attending a Business Summit (organised by BUSA and American Chamber of Commerce) which was addressed by Secretary of State Clinton and many leading US business delegates (including Boeing, FedEx, and Chevron). The message from the US delegation was clear – they want to be part of the African growth frontier and create sustainable partnerships in South Africa. South Africa is seen as a gateway into Africa – and many US businesses are already operating in this country.
Of significance to the South African fruit industry, Clinton assured the audience that she supported continuation of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) which comes to an end in 2015.
AGOA allows South African citrus to enter the US duty free. Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool (RSA Ambassador to the US) met with industries exporting to the US (including CGA) to determine how we can influence the process for extension of AGOA beyond 2015. This meeting was also addressed by DTI Minister Davies and US Ambassador to RSA – Donald Gips. AGOA not only benefits South Africa through job creation, foreign exchange earnings and addressing rural poverty; but gives US access to high quality products and the opportunity to develop South Africans (hence develop future generations of consumers of Apple computers and iPods, consumers of Coca Cola and viewers of Disney and Warner Brother films, and other Made in USA products).
By investing in Africa, and by giving Africa access to the US, the US will create an African continent with buying power to drive world economies; as opposed to the road of aid and hand outs which will forever make Africa the beggar of the world.
We will be active in assisting Ambassador Rasool and the Agricultural Attaché in Washington (Vangile Titi - a long time friend of the citrus industry) in pushing the case for an extension of AGOA. Remember that the US is very focussed on domestic issues – and we will have to show how AGOA benefits the American citizens as well as furthering its development agenda.
FIND OUT WHO WORKS FOR YOU
From next week the CGA Group will be circulating to all growers a 1-pager that features different staff members of the CGA Group – CGA, CRI, Citrus Academy, River Bioscience and XSIT. The objective of the 1-pager is to introduce all growers to those who are working for them – and to give an idea of what they are doing. A photo of the staff members means that growers can get to know who they are. You are encouraged to contact these staff members (contact details included on the 1-pager) should you need more information. Thanks to Vaughan Hattingh, Jacomien de Klerk, Jean de Gasperi, Paul Hardman and Melton Malaudzi for being the guinea pigs for this initiative.
CGA BOARD AND AGM MEETING
Please note that the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa will be holding its Annual General Meeting on Monday 20th August 2012 at the Champagne Sports Resort in the KZN Drakensberg at approx. 18h00.
Please RSVP to . An Annual Report has been posted to all growers. Copies of the audited Annual Financial Statements are available on the password protected page of the CGA website or by emailing or . If you do not receive your Annual Report in the post, please advise us so we can amend our records. On the same day the CGA Board will meet – please contact your regional Director should there be any issues that need deliberation by the Board.
ANNUAL COORDINATING MEETING
As usual the meeting between DAFF and industry will take place in September – scheduled for 27 September 2012; 09h00-15h00 at ARC Infruitec in Stellenbosch. This is a critically important meeting for industry to engage with DAFF in doing a post mortem on the past season, and planning ahead for 2013. RSVP .
PACKED AND SHIPPED
Unfortunately information is not available this week due to public holiday on Thursday – a belated Happy Woman’s Day to all those who REALLY run the country, make the decisions, keep the peace and make the homes homely.

GROWER FUNDED ACTIVITIES OF THE CGA, CRI AND CITRUS ACADEMY

ENSURE A GLOBALLY COMPETITIVE SOUTHERN AFRICAN CITRUS INDUSTRY